One of downtown St. Petersburg's most popular seafood spots will soon reopen in a new location after a nearly two-year hiatus. Owner Josh Cameron has announced that the Oyster Bar, closed since August 2023, will open this month at 2245 Central Ave. The new space in the Grand Central District is triple the size of the previous restaurant, and will feature a raw bar, dining room with booth and table seating and a spacious cocktail bar.
The Florida Aquarium has transported nearly 1,050 baby elkhorn corals spawned and raised at the facility to the Florida Keys. The Coral Conservation team rescued parent colonies from Florida's Coral Reef in 2022 amid the worst global bleaching event in history. Researchers are now planting the baby corals - many have new genetic combinations that could increase heat resilience - on the reef and in ocean-based nurseries. Corals protect coastlines from hurricanes, shelter marine life and support the state's tourism, fishing and recreation industries.
Local postal workers will collect food donations from residents' mailboxes Saturday as part of the nationwide Stamp Out Hunger initiative. Clearwater-based Hope Villages of America will receive, sort and distribute the donations. The local initiative, part of the nation's largest single-day food drive, garnered 4,000 fewer pounds of food - 3,333 meals - in 2024 than in 2023 (80,000 pounds). For more information on how to reverse that trend, visit the website here.
Joe Redner has sold Mons Venus, a full-nude adult entertainment venue in Tampa, to a former competitor across the street. Don Kleinhans, owner of 2001 Odyssey, told the Tampa Bay Times that he purchased the business, not the real estate, and will pay Redner rent and a consultation fee. The outspoken Redner opened Mons Venus at 2040 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in 1992.
St. Petersburg's first Nikkei sushi lounge, Isu, will open in July at 97 Central Ave. Nikkei cuisine stems from Japanese immigrants in Peru, who incorporated aspects from both culinary cultures. Shan Bakrac will open Isu underneath his other downtown restaurant, Fortu.
Clearwater-based Chargebacks911 has awarded over $135,000 to 135 Pinellas County ninth graders from Eastlake, Hollins, Boca Ciega and Lakewood High Schools through its Paid for Grades program. Founder and CEO Monica Eaton launched the initiative, now in its 12th year, to incentivize students to improve their grades and reading levels. Chargebacks911 awarded 43 Eastlake High students Wednesday.
The Florida Holocaust Museum announced Thursday that the St. Petersburg institution will reopen Sept. 9 after extensive renovations. The museum has remained closed to the public since July 2024. The expansion provided room for new exhibits like a 10-ton Danish fishing vessel used to smuggle Jews to safety during World War II and the renowned Elie Wiesel Collection.
Pinellas County's Heritage Village, located at 11909 125th St. N. in Largo, unveiled its permanent Turner Bungalow exhibit Wednesday. Descendants of the pioneering Clearwater family helped lead attendees on a guided tour of the meticulously restored 1915 Craftsman-style home. Geradine "Jere" Turner, a former St. Petersburg College professor, donated the home, $100,000 and approximately 5,000 artifacts to support its relocation and restoration.
The Clearwater Ferry, suspended since a fatal collision April 27, will resume operation Thursday between downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach. The vessel Monica's Crossing was not involved in the accident and will provide the service. According to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the U.S. Coast Guard has inspected the vessel and cleared it for commercial operation. Meanwhile, passenger Nicole Makelele has filed a lawsuit seeking more than more than $50,000 from St. Pete businessman Jeffry Knight, the driver of the 37-foot powerboat that struck Maddie's Crossing, another boat in the Clearwater Ferry fleet, on the 27th. Passenger Jose Castro was killed in the collision. No criminal charges have been filed in the case, which is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
About 60 people were evacuated from a Sand Key condominium tower Tuesday evening due to potential structural issues. The parking garage at the South Beach III Condos was undergoing construction work when engineers noticed a crack in a support column. In an update released at about 9:45 p.m., Clearwater officials said a private contractor was working to stabilize the building at 1460 Gulf Blvd.
The City of St. Petersburg's Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday that the Puryear Park playground is now open. The facility was one of several damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officials recently acquired an adjacent home to expand the park.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies will host Major League Soccer's (MLS) Orlando City FC in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matchup Wednesday at Al Lang Stadium. The match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., is the first competitive meeting between the two rivals in St. Petersburg. Paramount+ will stream the Open Cup Round of 32 matchup.
